Review: Dance Dance Revolution: Universe 2 for Xbox 360

Looking to get in on the Dance Dance Revolution trend? Or add another title to your collection of DDR? In either case, Universe 2 for Xbox 360 is a great choice with its easy to use format and hit song list.

Before you can really get into Universe 2 and its master mode, you must first beat the game’s basic mode. While it might be overkill for veterans, it really does teach newbies how to play by timing the arrows. Instead of just having a randomly dancing figure throughout the song, the virtual figure is on a dance mat and jumps and hits in time to the arrows in the song you’re playing. This is especially good for anyone trying to get into the game’s rhythm of hitting arrows in time. The friends I tried this game out with–who had never played DDR before–found it was a lot easier to watch the virtual player’s timing in relation to the arrows than to try to figure it out on their own. Completing the basic mode is pretty easy (even for beginners), and it shouldn’t be an obstacle to unlock to the master mode.

When in master mode, you can choose from a variety of other modes-such as arcade, challenge, Xbox live, and workout.

Arcade mode is the mode that most people associate with Dance Dance Revolution, and its song list can make or break the whole game. Luckily, Universe 2 features a nice mix of old favorites (such as “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Safety Dance”), pop hits of the last few years (“Take Me Out” and “The Way You Move”), in addition to standard house techno. The songs are fast and fun, and the arrows are mostly on the beat, which definitely improves the gameplay (something that was lacking in Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNova 2 for PlayStation 2.

The challenge mode is pretty similar to the original Universe, as you complete challenges such as “No Boos” or “Only Perfect.” The workout mode is also excellent, and the songs are fast enough that you can break a sweat in a reasonably short time. The quest mode is also simplified from the previous Universe, and is easy enough to understand. You can create a character and then win prize money from dance shows to buy more clothes and customize.

Definitely get this game–whether you’re a newbie just trying to get the hang of it or a veteran looking for new songs and challenges.